Chaucer himself narrates this tale, a witty parody of the worst poetic romances. In insipid language, obvious rhyme, and plodding rhythm, the poet tells of Sir Thopas’s search for the Elf Queen and of his encounter with the giant Sir Olifaunt. Before Chaucer can finish the story, however, the host of the Tabard Inn interrupts, begging him to stop the wretched doggerel.

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c. 1342/43 London?, England October 25, 1400 London the outstanding English poet before Shakespeare and “the first finder of our language.” His The Canterbury Tales ranks as one of the greatest poetic works in English. He also contributed importantly in the second half of the 14th...

in literature, an imitation of the style and manner of a particular writer or school of writers. The word parody is derived from the Greek parōidía, “a song sung alongside another.” Parody often serves an overtly negative function—so as to emphasize and thus...